System and Method For Monitoring Home Healthcare Workers

Abstract

Healthcare services at a patient's residence are monitored by placing an identification device in the residence and by a healthcare worker carrying a data acquisition device. Whenever proximate to the residence, the data acquisition device receives a wireless signal that carries an identifier from the identification device. The data acquisition device responds to receipt of that wireless signal by recording the identifier and measuring the amount of time that the signal continues to be received. At some later point in time, the information acquired by the data acquisition device is transferred to a computer system for processing and preparation of records about the quality and security of patient care and the time and attendance of the healthcare worker.

1 . A method for monitoring services provided by a healthcare worker at a residence of a medical patient, said method comprising: 
 placing an identification device in the residence wherein the identification device wirelessly emits a first wireless signal providing a first identifier;    issuing a data acquisition device to a healthcare worker;    when proximate to the residence, the data acquisition device receiving the first wireless signal;    the data acquisition device recording the first identifier provided by the first wireless signal; and    thereafter, transferring the first identifier from the data acquisition device to a computer.    
     
     
         2 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first wireless signal carries a unique identification number.  
     
     
         3 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the identification device periodically emits the first wireless signal.  
     
     
         4 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the data acquisition device recording date and time of day that the first signal is received.  
     
     
         5 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the data acquisition device recording an indication of an amount of time in response to receipt of the first signal.  
     
     
         6 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the data acquisition device operating a timer that measures an amount of time that the first signal is received; and recording a measurement of that amount of time.  
     
     
         7 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein transferring the first identifier comprises transmitting the first identifier via another wireless signal from the data acquisition device to a computer.  
     
     
         8 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein transferring the first identifier comprises: 
 sending a wireless interrogation signal to the data acquisition device; and    the data acquisition device responding to the interrogation signal by transmitting the first identifier to the computer via another wireless signal.    
     
     
         9 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein transferring the first identifier comprises transmitting the first identifier via one of a cellular telephone connection, a land line telephone connection, and an Internet connection.  
     
     
         10 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein: 
 the data acquisition device transmits a second wireless signal; and    the identification device responds to receiving the second wireless signal by emitting the first wireless signal.    
     
     
         11 . The method as recited in  claim 1  wherein the data acquisition device is assigned a second identifier and further comprises transferring the second identifier from the data acquisition device to the computer.  
     
     
         12 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising the computer using the first identifier to determine information related to attendance of the healthcare worker near the patient.  
     
     
         13 . The method as recited in  claim 1  further comprising preparing a patient treatment report using information transferred to the computer.  
     
     
         14 . A system for monitoring services provided by a healthcare worker at a residence of a medical patient, said system comprising: 
 an identification device for placement in the residence wherein the identification device wirelessly emits a first wireless signal providing a first identifier;    a data acquisition device, to be carried by a healthcare worker, for receiving the first wireless signal whenever the data acquisition device is proximate to the residence and responding to receipt of the first wireless signal by recording the first identifier, the data acquisition device emitting a data signal that carries the first identifier; and    a computer that receives the data signal carrying the first identifier.    
     
     
         15 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the identification device periodically emits the first wireless signal.  
     
     
         16 . The system as recited in  claim 14  further comprising the data acquisition device recording date and time of day that the first signal is received.  
     
     
         17 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the data acquisition device records an indication of an amount of time in response to receipt of the first signal.  
     
     
         18 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the data signal is a wireless signal.  
     
     
         19 . The system as recited in  claim 14  further comprising: 
 an interrogator for sending a wireless interrogation signal to the data acquisition device; and    the data acquisition device responding to the interrogation signal by transmitting the first identifier to the computer via another wireless signal.    
     
     
         20 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the computer that receives the data signal via one of a cellular telephone connection, a land line telephone connection and an Internet connection.  
     
     
         21 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein: 
 the data acquisition device transmits a second wireless signal; and    the identification device responds to receiving the second wireless signal by emitting the first wireless signal.    
     
     
         22 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the data acquisition device is assigned a second identifier and the data signal also carries the second identifier.  
     
     
         23 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the computer uses the first identifier to determine information related to attendance of the healthcare worker near the patient.  
     
     
         24 . The system as recited in  claim 14  wherein the computer prepares a patient treatment record using information received from the data acquisition device.